Hoppy Days for Beer Lovers

Writer Lara Piu Photography: Arizona Craft Brewers Guild

This month, Arizona craft beers will be foaming over with love at three different brew events. If you’re into all things local, as well as thoughtfully-crafted beer, here’s a chance to learn a thing or two while you sample the best of the best Arizona beer.

Arizona Beer Week Arizona Beer Week is a statewide, nine-day celebration of Arizona’s signature suds. It takes place from February 9-18 through special events at participating restaurants, breweries and other venues. Both events are organized by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, which represents nearly 100 breweries, breweries in the planning stages, craft beer bars, partners and distributors across the state of Arizona. The guild promotes the craft brewing industry in Arizona by providing educational opportunities to brewers, distributors and consumers; promotes quality craft beers and, most importantly, responsible consumption. Check out the website for events held all month throughout the state. arizonabeerweek.com

Arizona Strong Beer Festival The Arizona Strong Beer Festival is among Arizona Beer Week’s main events. Now in its 17th year, the festival will feature the state’s most groundbreaking beers on February 11 at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. Festival-goers can taste from the event’s largest selection to date of specialty brews, high alcohol by volume varieties and other one-of-a-kind craft beers. Local, regional and national brewers will feature innovative brewing techniques, barrel-aged beer varieties and collaborative offerings. New this year are various game play zones, relaxation areas to kick back and enjoy the hops, and a super VIP area and brewer’s reception. arizonabeerweek.com

Birds ‘n’ Beer Head to Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center on February 16 for an entertaining presentation on birds ‘n’ beer. This monthly happy hour is a nature and beer lovers’ paradise. Audubon will serve up cold brews, wine, snacks and a chance to mingle, and then fill you to the brim with various topics on birds, wildlife and conservation education.riosalado.audubon.org